Conduit body with super fitting

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are exemplary connector assemblies including a conduit body having a conduit inner surface opposing a conduit outer surface, at least a portion of the conduit inner surface being a threaded portion. The connector assemblies may further include a compression ring extending from a first circumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the first circumferential end is complementarily engageable with the second circumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has a circumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end in an uncompressed configuration. The connector assemblies may further include a bushing positioned within the threaded portion of the conduit inner surface of the conduit body.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to conduit connector assemblies and,more particularly, to conduit connector assemblies including acompression ring and bushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Electrical and mechanical components such as cables often need to beconnected with each other through various angles and configurations.Conduits (e.g., pipes) and junction boxes may be used to houseelectrical cables, and connectors are used to join conduits with eachother and/or with other components such as junction boxes in desiredconfigurations. Connector assemblies make use of such connector elementsas connector bodies, nuts, gaskets, etc., to provide the configurationsdesired for the conduits that house electrical and mechanicalcomponents.

The components brought together by connector assemblies can be sensitiveto contaminants such as dust and moisture. If a proper seal is notformed between and among the elements of the connector assembly, theelectrical and mechanical components may be susceptible to contaminationand resulting in damage.

Furthermore, traditional connector assemblies are not able toaccommodate both threaded and unthreaded conduits. For example, aconnector assembly with a compression ring having a smooth inner surfaceis intended to secure unthreaded conduits. Similarly, existing repaircoupling assemblies are intended to secure threaded conduits.

Still furthermore, traditional connector assembly bodies can have roughinternal openings that may cut or damage conductors, especially whenbeing pulled.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a versatile connectorassembly that provides superior resistance to contaminants like dust andmoisture. Furthermore, what is needed is a connector assembly able toconveniently accommodate both threaded and unthreaded conduits indifferent situations. Still furthermore, what is needed is a connectorassembly able to reduce potential for damage to conductors.

An exemplary connector assembly in accordance with the presentdisclosure may include a conduit body having a conduit inner surfaceopposing a conduit outer surface, at least a portion of the conduitinner surface being a threaded portion. The connector assembly mayfurther include a compression ring extending from a firstcircumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the firstcircumferential end is complementarily engageable with the secondcircumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axialend and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has acircumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the secondcircumferential end in an uncompressed configuration. The connectorassembly may further include a bushing positioned along the conduitinner surface within the conduit body.

An exemplary connector assembly in accordance with the presentdisclosure may include a connector assembly including a conduit body anda compression ring, the connector assembly comprising a conduit bodyhaving a conduit inner surface opposing a conduit outer surface, atleast a portion of the conduit inner surface being a threaded portion.The connector assembly may further include a compression ring extendingfrom a first circumferential end to a second circumferential end,wherein the first circumferential end is complementarily engageable withthe second circumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes afirst axial end and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ringhas a circumferential gap between the first circumferential end and thesecond circumferential end in an uncompressed configuration. Theconnector assembly may further include a bushing positioned within thethreaded portion of the conduit inner surface of the conduit body.

An exemplary connector assembly in accordance with the presentdisclosure may include a conduit body having a conduit inner surfaceopposing a conduit outer surface, at least a portion of the conduitinner surface being a threaded portion. The connector assembly mayfurther include a compression ring extending from a firstcircumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the firstcircumferential end is complementarily engageable with the secondcircumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axialend and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has acircumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the secondcircumferential end in an uncompressed configuration. The connectorassembly may further include an insert adjacent the conduit body, theinsert including a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion,wherein the first threaded portion engages the threaded portion of theconduit inner surface. The connector assembly may further include abushing positioned along an inner surface of the first axial end of theinsert.

The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary approaches of thedisclosed embodiments so far devised for the practical application ofthe principles thereof.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a connector assemblyin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-D are perspective views of various conduit bodies in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view a compression ring of the connectorassembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the connector assembly of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view the connector assembly of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view the connector assembly of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of thedisclosure. The drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosure, and therefore are not be considered as limiting inscope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Assemblies and in accordance with the present disclosure will now bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, where embodiments of the system and method are shown. Theassemblies may be embodied in many different forms and are not beconstrued as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead,these embodiments are provided so this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the system and method tothose skilled in the art.

For the sake of convenience and clarity, terms such as “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” and“longitudinal” will be used herein to describe the relative placementand orientation of these components and their constituent parts. Theterminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivativesthereof, and words of similar import.

As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular andproceeded with the word “a” or “an” are understood as potentiallyincluding plural elements or operations as well. Furthermore, referencesto “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to beinterpreted as precluding the existence of additional embodiments alsoincorporating the recited features.

Provided herein are approaches for forming a connection with a conduitbody. In one approach, an exemplary connector assembly includes aconnector assembly including a conduit body and a compression ring, theconnector assembly comprising a conduit body having a conduit innersurface opposing a conduit outer surface, at least a portion of theconduit inner surface being a threaded portion. The connector assemblymay further include a compression ring extending from a firstcircumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the firstcircumferential end is complementarily engageable with the secondcircumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axialend and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has acircumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the secondcircumferential end in an uncompressed configuration. The connectorassembly may further include a bushing positioned within the threadedportion of the conduit inner surface of the conduit body. Accordingly,provided is a connector assembly, which creates a compression-typecoupling that can work for both threaded and unthreaded conduits, andcan provide protection to wires during pulling by the bushing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a connector assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The connectorassembly 100 includes a conduit body 104 having a central opening 106, afirst opening 108, and a second opening 110 opposite the first opening108. Coupled to the first and second openings 108, 110 are respectiveconduit coupling assemblies 112A-B. As shown in the exploded view of thecoupling assembly 112-B, the second opening 110 may engage a bushing115, an insert 116, a compression ring 118, and a compression nut 120,each of which will be described in greater detail below. A seal formedby each conduit coupling assembly 112A-B resists contaminants such asdust and moisture from penetrating the conduit body.

At each of the first and second openings 108, 110, the conduit body 104may include a conduit inner surface 124 opposing a conduit outer surface126. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the conduit innersurface 124 is a threaded portion. Furthermore, each of the first andsecond openings 108, 110 may be generally cylindrical for receivingcylindrical conduits, although embodiments herein are not limited to anysingle connection type.

As shown, the insert 116 is positioned adjacent the conduit body 104,and includes a first threaded portion 125 and a second threaded portion127. In some embodiments, the first and second threaded portions 125,127 are located on an exterior surface of the insert 116 such that thefirst threaded portion 125 is configured to engage the threaded portionof the conduit inner surface 124. In one embodiment, an inner diameterof the insert 116 proximate the first threaded portion 125 is smallerthan an inner diameter proximate the second threaded portion 127. Theinsert 116 further includes a first axial end 129 and a second axial end131, wherein the second axial end 131 is configured to engage thecompression ring 118, as will be further described below.

It will be appreciated that the conduit body shown in FIG. 1 representsonly one possible configuration. For example, some conduit bodies mayhave only one threaded hubs/openings, while others have up to 4 threadedhubs/openings. Various conduit bodies according to non-limitingembodiments of the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2A-D.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the compression ring 118 will bedescribed in greater detail. As shown, the compression ring 118 includesa first circumferential end 130 and a second circumferential end 132that is complementarily engageable with the first circumferential end130. The compression ring 118 also includes a circumferential gap 134between the first circumferential end 130 and the second circumferentialend 132. The circumferential gap 134 of the compression ring 118 allowsthe compression ring 118 to compress, such compression bringing thefirst circumferential end 130 and the second circumferential end 132closer together and narrowing the circumferential gap 134. In someembodiments, the circumferential gap 134 narrows but need notnecessarily close for a conduit to be secured to the conduit body 104.In other embodiments, when the compression ring 118 fully compressed,the first and second circumferential ends 130, 132 complementarily abuteach other.

The compression ring 118 may optionally include a first bevel 138 forenhancing compression of the compression ring 118 and the interaction ofthe compression ring 118 with the compression nut 120. The compressionring 118 may also include a second bevel 139 for enhancing interactionof the compression ring with the insert 116.

As shown, the compression ring 118 further includes a compression ringouter surface 140 opposing a compression ring inner surface 142, withinternal threading 144 (e.g., a set of teeth) extending radiallyinwardly from the compression ring inner surface 142. At least some ofthe internal threading 144 extend circumferentially from the firstcircumferential end 130 to the second circumferential end 132, allowingthe teeth of the internal threading 144 to serve as an inner engagementmechanism. The compression ring 118 extends from a first axial end 148to a second axial end 150.

It will be appreciated that the compression ring 118 may be shaped in avariety of different ways. For example, the compression ring 118 neednot include first and second bevels 138, 139 in some embodiments.Furthermore, the complementarily interfittable circumferential ends 130and 132 can alternatively be shaped as complementary geometric shapes,curves, teeth, or any male/female combination of shapes that can fittogether.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector assembly 100 may include one or moreconduits 155A-B coupled to and extending through the first and/or secondopenings 108, 110 of the conduit body 104. The conduits 155A-B haverespective engagement surfaces 156A-B configured for attachment tocoupling assemblies 112A-B. As will be described in greater detailbelow, the engagement surfaces 156A-B may include either a threadedexterior surface or an unthreaded (e.g., smooth) exterior surface.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the connector assembly 100 according toembodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail. Asshown, the conduit 155 is engaged with and secured to the conduit body104 by the coupling assembly 112. Specifically, the conduit 155, whichin this non-limiting embodiment includes exterior threading 160 alongthe engagement surface 156, is positioned within the insert 116, thecompression ring 118, and the compression nut 120. Examples of threadedconduits include a threaded Rigid Metal Conduit (“RMC”) and a threadedIntermediate Metal Conduit (IMC). The conduit 155 extends along a lengthof the second threaded portion 127 until it engages a corner 162defining an intersection of the second threaded portion 127 and thefirst threaded portion 125. As shown, the first threaded portion 125engages a threaded portion 164 of the conduit inner surface 124 (FIG.1).

The insert 116 further includes the first axial end 129 and the secondaxial end 131, wherein the second axial end 131 is configured to abutthe compression ring 118. In one embodiment, the second axial end 131 ischamfered. As shown, the first axial end 129 includes the bushing 115contained therein such that the bushing 115 may be located proximate thethreaded portion 164 of the conduit body 104. In one embodiment, thebushing 115 is disposed along an inner surface 165 of the first axialend 129 of the insert 116 to prevent scraping of an insulation (notshown) by surfaces within the conduit body 104 during use. In anotherembodiment, the bushing 115 is positioned in direct contact with theconduit inner surface 124, and abuts a side/end 135 of the first axialend 129. The bushing 115 may be made from an insulating material such asnylon.

During assembly, the conduit 155 is secured within the insert 116 andthe compression ring 118, and then further tightened by the compressionnut 120. As shown, the compression nut 120 includes a first axial end168 and a second axial end 170, and a threaded inner surface 172engaging the second threaded portion 127 of the insert 116. The secondaxial end 170 of the compression nut 120 may include a bevel or innerchamfer 174 in engagement with the second axial end 150 of thecompression ring 118.

As the compression nut 120 is secured along the insert 116, thecompression ring 118 is compressed between the second axial end 131 ofthe insert 116 and the inner chamfer 174. The grip of the compressionring 118 on the exterior threading 160 of the conduit 155 is enhanced asthe compression ring 118 becomes more compressed by the compression nut120. In exemplary approaches, the pitch of the internal threading 144 ofthe compression ring may match the pitch of the threading 160 of theconduit 155.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a connector assembly 200 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail. Theelements of the connector assembly 200 have reference numerals that arethe same as the reference numerals used to describe the connectorassembly 100 above and, as such, may not each be discussed again herefor the sake of brevity. In this embodiment, the conduit 255 includes asmooth, non-threaded portion 260 along its engagement surface 256.Examples of unthreaded conduits include unthreaded RMC and unthreadedIMC conduits, as well as unthreaded thin wall Electrical Metal Conduits(“EMTs”). The non-threaded portion 260 is positioned within the insert216, the compression ring 218, and the compression nut 220 such that theconduit 255 extends along a length of the second threaded portion 227until it engages a corner 262 defining an intersection of the secondthreaded portion 227 and the first threaded portion 225. As shown, thefirst threaded portion 225 engages a threaded portion 264 of the conduitinner surface 224.

During use, the conduit 255 is secured within the insert 216 and thecompression ring 218, and then further tightened by the compression nut220. As shown, the compression nut 220 includes a first axial end 268and a second axial end 270, and a threaded inner surface 272 engagingthe second threaded portion 227 of the insert 216. The second axial end270 of the compression nut 220 may include a bevel or inner chamfer 274in engagement with the second axial end 250 of the compression ring 218.

As the compression nut 220 is secured along the insert 216, thecompression ring 218 is compressed between the second axial end 231 ofthe insert 216 and the inner chamfer 274. The grip of the compressionring 218 on the non-threaded portion 260 along its engagement surface256 is enhanced as the compression ring 218 becomes more compressed bythe compression nut 220. That is, with unthreaded conduit 255, thegripping is accomplished in response to the sharp threads of thecompression ring 218 biting into the engagement surface 256.

Embodiments described herein offer at least the following advantages.Firstly, unlike prior approaches in which long, heavy threaded pipes areturned or screwed into the conduit body, turning of the conduit is notrequired. For example, conduits can have diameters of up to four inches,and with lengths of ten feet, can weigh about 150 pounds. When a conduitmust be secured to a traditional connector assembly (or disengagedtherefrom) by being screwed with complementarily threaded fittings, theuser must rotate a heavy and bulky conduit in potentially tight spots.Because the threaded compression ring of this disclosure allows thecompression ring to bite down into the conduit to secure the conduit tothe connector assembly, it is not necessary to rotate large conduits toscrew them into fittings in order to secure them in the field.

Secondly, the connector assembly may be used with an unthreaded conduit,thus reducing dirt and contamination caused by cutting and threading ofconduits. Thirdly, when wires are pulled into the conduit body, thebushing of the disclosure prevents the wires from scraping againstinterior surfaces of the conduit body, thus reducing damage. Fourthly,the connection assembly may be rain-tight, allowing it to be used in wetlocations.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes tothe described approaches are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limitedto the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined bythe language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. While thedisclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches,numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the describedapproaches are possible without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it isintended that the present disclosure not be limited to the describedapproaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language ofthe following claims, and equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly comprising: a conduitbody having a conduit inner surface opposing a conduit outer surface, atleast a portion of the conduit inner surface being a threaded portion; acompression ring extending from a first circumferential end to a secondcircumferential end, wherein the first circumferential end iscomplementarily engageable with the second circumferential end, whereinthe compression ring includes a first axial end and a second axial end,and wherein the compression ring has a circumferential gap between thefirst circumferential end and the second circumferential end in anuncompressed configuration; a bushing positioned along the threadedportion of the conduit inner surface within the conduit body; and aninsert having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein thefirst axial end is coupled to the conduit inner surface of the conduitbody, and wherein an inside diameter of the bushing is less than aninside diameter of the first axial end of the insert.
 2. The connectorassembly of claim 1, insert including a first threaded portion and asecond threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion engages thethreaded portion of the conduit inner surface.
 3. The connector assemblyof claim 2, wherein the second axial end of the insert abuts thecompression ring.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein thesecond axial end of the insert is chamfered.
 5. The connector assemblyof claim 3, further comprising a compression nut having a threaded innersurface in engagement with the second threaded portion of the insert. 6.The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the bushing is disposedinternal to the threaded portion of the conduit inner surface.
 7. Theconnector assembly of claim 3, wherein the bushing is positioneddirectly adjacent the first axial end of the insert.
 8. The connectorassembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit body has a central openingthrough a sidewall, and a first opening opposite a second opening, eachof the first opening and the second opening including the conduit innersurface opposing the conduit outer surface.
 9. The connector assembly ofclaim 8, further including a conduit extending into the insert, whereinthe inside diameter of the bushing is less than an inside diameter ofthe conduit.
 10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the conduitcomprises an engagement surface coupled to the compression ring, theengagement surface including either of: a threaded exterior surface, oran unthreaded exterior surface.
 11. A connector assembly including aconduit body and a compression ring, the connector assembly comprising:a conduit body having a conduit inner surface opposing a conduit outersurface, at least a portion of the conduit inner surface being athreaded portion; a compression ring extending from a firstcircumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the firstcircumferential end is complementarily engageable with the secondcircumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axialend and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has acircumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the secondcircumferential end in an uncompressed configuration; a bushingpositioned in direct physical contact with threading of the threadedportion of the conduit inner surface of the conduit body; and an inserthaving a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the first axialend is coupled to the conduit inner surface of the conduit body, andwherein an inside diameter of the bushing is less than an insidediameter of the first axial end of the insert.
 12. The connectorassembly of claim 11, the insert including a first threaded portion anda second threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion engagesthe threaded portion of the conduit inner surface.
 13. The connectorassembly of claim 12, wherein the second axial end of the insert has achamfer in abutment with the first axial end of the compression ring.14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the bushing ispositioned directly adjacent the first axial end of the insert.
 15. Theconnector assembly of claim 13, further comprising a compression nuthaving a threaded inner surface in engagement with the second threadedportion of the insert, and an inner chamfer in engagement with thesecond axial end of the compression ring.
 16. The connector assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the conduit body has a central opening through asidewall, and a first opening opposite a second opening, each of thefirst opening and the second opening including the conduit inner surfaceopposing the conduit outer surface.
 17. The connector assembly of claim11, further comprising a conduit extending into the insert, wherein theinside diameter of the bushing is less than the inside diameter of thefirst axial end of the insert and an inside diameter of the conduit. 18.The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the conduit comprises anengagement surface coupled to the compression ring, the engagementsurface including either of: a threaded exterior surface, or anunthreaded exterior surface.
 19. A connector assembly including aconduit body and a compression ring, the connector assembly comprising:a conduit body having a conduit inner surface opposing a conduit outersurface, at least a portion of the conduit inner surface being athreaded portion; a compression ring extending from a firstcircumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the firstcircumferential end is complementarily engageable with the secondcircumferential end, wherein the compression ring includes a first axialend and a second axial end, and wherein the compression ring has acircumferential gap between the first circumferential end and the secondcircumferential end in an uncompressed configuration; an insertincluding a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion,wherein the first threaded portion engages the threaded portion of theconduit inner surface; and a bushing positioned along the threadedportion of the conduit inner surface, wherein an inside diameter of thebushing is less than an inside diameter of a first axial end of theinsert.
 20. The connector assembly of claim 19, further comprising acompression nut having a threaded inner surface in engagement with thesecond threaded portion of the insert, and an inner chamfer inengagement with the second axial end of the compression ring.